Border

/ˈbɔːrdər/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonPlace
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A line that forms the edge or boundary of something.

/ˈbɔːrdər/

nounneutralBeginner
Place

A line separating two countries or regions.

The border between the two countries was heavily guarded.

💡 Simply: The edge of something.

More Examples

2

He crossed the border illegally.

How It's Used

Geography

"The border between Mexico and the United States is heavily patrolled."

Politics

"The country's borders are closed due to the pandemic."

2

To form the edge or boundary of; to be next to.

/ˈbɔːrdər/

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To form the edge or boundary of something.

The garden was bordered by a low stone wall.

💡 Simply: To put a border around something.

More Examples

2

The field is bordered by a river.

How It's Used

Art

"The artist bordered the painting with a delicate gold frame."

Tip:Imagine bordering a piece of paper with decorations.

Idioms & expressions

on the border of

Very close to; at the edge of.

"The village is on the border of the forest."

From Old French *bordure, from border 'edge, rim', from Old French borc 'edge, bank'

The word 'border' has consistently referred to boundaries, though its specific usage has evolved with changing geopolitical landscapes.

Memory tip

Think of a 'border' as the 'border' of a picture frame.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"edge, rim"

border controlborder disputeborder crossingborder region

Common misspellings

bordorbordure

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written